Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-01-19
From the Chicago Tribune.
SECOND THOUGHTS.

Supper was over at the Cove, and
the rough pine tables were cleared Of
their burden OF nondescript dishes
wooden, tin and china. Neat-handed
Phyllises in tasteful camp costume
swept away heterogeneous OF the feast,
while lazy men lounged in the ham,
mocks and looked on with approving
eyes Fresh logs were heaped on the
dying fire, and the noisy, cracking
flames leaped up in vain emulation of
the moon rising nightly behind the
trees, and fell back in despair at their
defeat.
The CLEAN and shadow OF the fire.
light danced 6tfully over the lace and
figure of g. slender maiden who stood
buried in thought, like a modern dry
ad, beneath an old oak tree. Her
white chin and brown, clasped hands
rested on the top Of g. broom she had
just been welding with more energy
than skill. Near her stood g. young
man regarding her fixedly. These two
had been chosen companions during
their fortnight in camp, and the &C
quaintance begun but few days ago
had ripened fast into friendship. But
tonight new feeling stirred the young
mans heart, holding him back, yet
urging him forward, as he watched the
slim, girlish figure with its ''lines OF un-
spoiled symmetry" and marked, half
unconsciously, the careless yet grace
full attitude of this nut-brown maid.
The party had broken up into
groups of two and three, who wan
dered deep into the fragrant pine
woods, or drifted in light canoes across
the golden glory of moonlight on the
water. The older people betook them
selves to their tents with books and
cards, and the two were left alone.
Percy shook off his dreamy mood
and came to where Eleanor was stand
ing.
''Will you let me have little talk
with you? lie asked, half boldly, half
entreatingly.
Eleanor turned with q flash of dark
eyes and bright smile.
"Have you much to eay?" she
asked carelassly, ''for in that case
may as well make myself comfortable"
Every much, if you will be good
enough to listen," and the emphasis
OF the reply brought flush to Flea
nor's brown cheek.
She walked slowly over to a moss.
covered log aud sat down, resting her
head against a tree, while Percy threw
himself at her feet, and turned his STAGE
toward the fire.
Silence followed-a silence which
both found it hard to break. Percy
lit cigarette and smoked for g. few
moments, then restiessly threw it
away from him and began abruptly:
81 wish | had known you before,
Miss Gordon"
"Why?" she asked, simply.
Because my life would not have
been such failure if had had you to
help me-"
This was the old orthodox method
of beginning q Irritation, but Eleanor
was inexperienced and felt g. danger
Gus throb Of pity.
"Do you need help?" she asked,
gently, feeling a sudden impulse such
as even the most carefully-trained
damsel will sometimes feel-to touch
the brown waves of hair so near her
hand. But the thought What would
he think of me?" restrained her, for
tunately.
"God knows | d." said Percy, with
a sudden vehemeoce that startled her.
81 have made wretched muddle of q
mistake, and must pay for it with a
lifetime's unhappiness! Forgive me-"
he added, seeing that she was startled;
ST did not mean to speak so, butyour
sympathy compelled me-"
tfWh4f have Won 6Hn6 2' she aSka1
striving to keep her voice cool and
steady, but inwardly trembling at the
changed, husky tones of the man be-
side her.
He turned his face toward her and
his eyes were wet, and his mouth
trembled q little as he answered.:
II cannot tell you now. Eleanor.
Will you not trust me7 Will you be
my friend and help me with your SYM
pathy"
cried the girl. "You are speaking in
riddles and Icannot understand you"
Percy raised himself and knelt be.
side her, the freight shining on his
handsome face. He took both her
trembling hands in his and said gent
iy:
"kate has been very hard to me,
Eleanor. i am not my own master.
and the chains have borne with pa
thence seem very heavy to me tonight.
Some time-it will not be long, L hope
some time l shall win my freedom |
and then shall come TO YOU
"Stop! Stopp cried Eleanor, pulling
her hands away from him. sYou |
must not talk so to me. | hear voices
the others are coming"
"I shall come TO you," he repeated,
steadily, land tell you-what dare